December 14, 2020
December 14, 2020
To compare yearly data collected for this study, click on a tab.
TRIAL OBJECTIVE
- A high soil pH is generally classified as having a soil pH of 7.6 or higher and could have the characteristics of excess lime, high soluble salt concentration, and high nitrate-nitrogen concentration.
- In Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, excess lime from high calcium carbonate concentrations in the soil parent material is the source of the high pH, which is found on eroded sidehills and cut areas in fields.
- Corn products can respond differently to high pH soils, from tolerant to non-tolerant. Products that are non-tolerant usually express iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) with symptoms including yellow leaves, interveinal chlorosis, and stunted growth.
- Key nutrients, including iron, are tied up in high pH soils and not available to the plant.
- Better product characterization allows for better product placement to maximize yield potential.
- The objective of this study was to determine the visual response of corn products to soil pH and yield potential in moderate pH (6.6 to 7.5) and high pH (7.6+) soils.
RESEARCH SITE DETAILS
| Location | Oakley, KS | ||
| Soil Type | Silt loam | ||
| Previous Crop |
Corn | ||
| Tillage Type |
Strip tillage |
| Planting Date | 5/12/20 | ||
| Harvest Date | 10/22/20 | ||
| Potential Yield (bu/acre) |
235 | ||
| Seeding Rate (seeds/acre) |
30K |
- For this trial, 68 commercial and experimental corn products of varying relative maturities (RMs) were planted in two separate blocks in the same field. One block had a soil type with a high pH (7.6-8.1) and the other block was planted in soil with a neutral pH (6.6-7.5).
- 35 products had RMs ranging from 103- to 107-day and were grouped as 105 RM.
- 33 products had RMs ranging from 108- to 113-day and were grouped as 110 RM.
- Seven of these products were Channel® brand blend corn products; only the results of the Channel products are shown in this report.
- A visual color rating of the foliage was taken at the V8 and VT growth stage:
- very dark green = 2
- pale-yellow color = 8
- For each pH block, the average yield of each product was compared to the average yield of all products within the RM group.
- Each trial was replicated in a high pH zone and a moderate pH zone in the same field at each block location.
- Soil pH was determined by grid sampling each trial area at a 1/10th acre density.
- The trial was planted on a site that was previously planted in corn and a soil-applied insecticide was included across the trial to help control western corn rootworm.
Figure 1. Visual example of an 8 and 2 rating at the V8 growth stage.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS
Table 1. Average yield of corn product compared to average yield of relative maturity group.
- Visual differences were not detected in any of the products when planted in neutral pH soils (data not shown).
- Average yields in this trial were less than expected this year and may have been a result of excessive heat and drought conditions.
- On the neutral pH block, the average yield of the 110 RM group was 3.1 bu/acre greater compared to the average yield of the 105 RM group. In optimal growing conditions, longer RM products generally have greater yield potential.
- 205-63VT2PRIB Brand Blend, 212-04STXRIB Brand Blend, and 212-60TRERIB Brand Blend had green, healthy plant color at the V8 and VT growth stages and yielded greater than similar RM products on high pH soils and is highly recommended for high pH soils.
- 204-25VT2PRIB, Brand Blend, and 204-74VT2PRIB Brand Blend had average visual appearance but yielded greater than similar RM products on high and neutral pH soils. These products are highly recommended for high pH soils.
- 205-70STXRIB Brand Blend and 207-42STXRIB Brand Blend had below average visual ratings and slightly below averaging yields to comparable RM corn products, these products are recommended for most situations on high pH soils.
Key Learnings
- High pH soils are typically found in areas with eroded top soil and topography changes, which make it difficult to compare yields between neutral and high pH areas of the field. Producers need to keep this in mind while making yield comparisons on their own farm.
- The importance of selecting a product able to tolerate high pH soils varies based on soil pH level and the proportion of high pH soil acres in each field.
- Corn product pH tolerance was indicated by a visual color rating, but color expression can also be influenced by other abiotic factors such as soil temperature, nutrient availability, and nutrient uptake. Producers should assess all potential problems when assessing product performance under high pH soils.
1019_R3_20
January 28, 2020
Selecting Channel® Corn Products for High pH Soils
TRIAL OBJECTIVE
- Corn products often respond differently to high pH soils with some being susceptible, some semi-tolerant, and others tolerant in how they respond both in terms of yield and visual appearance. Hybrids that are susceptible usually express iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) with symptoms including yellow leaves, interveinal chlorosis, and stunted growth.
- Key nutrients, including iron, phosphorus, copper, and zinc are tied up in high pH soils.1 A high soil pH for corn is generally classified as having a soil pH of 7.6 or higher and can be caused from either excess calcium carbonate, excess lime, high soluble salt concentration, and/or high nitrate-nitrogen concentration.2 In Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado, excess lime from high calcium carbonate concentrations in the soil parent material is the source of the high pH, which can be found on eroded sidehills and cut areas in fields.
- Better product characterization of response to soil pH allows for better product placement to maximize yield potential.
- The objective of this study was to determine the visual and yield response of corn products to moderate (6.7 to 7.5) and high (7.6+) pH soils.
RESEARCH SITE DETAILS:
| Location | Burlington, CO | ||
| Soil Type | Silt loam | ||
| Previous Crop |
Corn | ||
| Tillage Type |
Strip tillage |
| Soil pH Range | 6.7 to 8.1 | ||
| Harvest Date | 10/21/19 | ||
| Potential Yield (bu/acre) |
230 | ||
| Seeding Rate (seeds/acre) |
30K |
- For this trial, a total of 75 different commercial and experimental corn products of varying relative maturities (RMs) were each planted in two separate pH blocks in the same field (see Table 3 for the list of all corn products tested in this study). One block has a soil type with a high pH and the other block has a moderate pH:
- 42 products had RMs ranging from 103- to 107-day and were grouped as 105 RM
- 33 products had RMs ranging from 108- to 113-day and were grouped as 110 RM
- Eight of these products were Channel® brand blend corn products; only the results of the Channel products are shown in this report.
- A visual color rating of the foliage was taken at the V8 and VT growth stage:
- very dark green = 2
- pale-yellow color = 8
- Trial was replicated: 4 replications in the high pH zone and 4 replications in the moderate pH zone at each location.
- Soil pH was determined by grid sampling each trial area at a 1/10th acre density.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS
- In this trial year, the lower than expected yields are attributed to cold, wet soils early in the growing season followed by extensive wind and heat during grain fill.
- Across all products tested, the average yield of the 105 RM group was 0.5 bu/acre greater compared to the average yield of the 110 RM group in the high pH block.
- On the neutral pH block, the average yield of the 110 RM group was 8.8 bu/acre greater compared to the average yield of the 105 RM group. In optimal growing conditions, longer RM products generally have greater yield potential.
- Visual estimations during the vegetative stage closely correlated to the yield results.
- Channel® corn products 205-04STXRIB and 211-44STXRIB brand blends had green, plant color at the V8 and VT growth stages and yielded above similar relative maturity products on high pH soils. These products are highly recommended for high pH soils.
- Channel® corn products 205-63VT2PRIB, 209-15VT2PRIB, and 210-79STXRIB brand blends had average plant visual appearance during the growing season but both products yielded above comparable relative maturity hybrids and are highly recommended for high pH soils.
- Channel® corn products 207-90STXRIB and 212-90STXRIB brand blends had less than average visual appearance during the growing season and slightly below yields compared to similar RM hybrids. These products should be used with caution on high pH soils.
- Channel® corn product 204-25STXRIB brand blend had weak visual appearance and below average yields. This product is not recommended for use on high pH soils.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR FARM?
- The importance of selecting a product able to tolerate high pH soils varies based on soil pH level and the proportion of high pH soil acres in each field.
- High pH soils are typically found in areas with eroded top soil and topography changes, which make it difficult to compare yields between moderate and high pH areas of the field. Producers need to keep this in mind while making yield comparisons on their own farm.
- This trial demonstrates there is a lineup of Channel® brand blend corn products which are adequate for high pH soils.
Sources:
1 National Soil Survey Center. 1998. Soil quality indicators: pH. United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
2 Ferguson, R.B. 2006. Nutrient management for agronomic crops in Nebraska. EC06-155.
1019_R3